No ST fare hike, says CM

PUNE, Oct 2: Chief Minister Narayan Rane today alleged that Narmada Bachao Andolan NBA leader Medha Patkar was being supported by cer...

PUNE, Oct 2: Chief Minister Narayan Rane today alleged that Narmada Bachao Andolan NBA leader Medha Patkar was being supported by 8220;certain foreign agencies which were trying to create hurdles in the development of the State.8221;

Responding to Patkar8217;s fast in protest against his remarks Rane stated that how he could stop her from undertaking a fast, and added that Patkar was resorting to such steps since she was running out of steam.

The State Government has embarked upon qualitative rehabilitation of the displaced, yet the tribals with Patkar have grabbed the lands meant for rehabilitation, he said.

The NBA was taking out the frustration of having lost in the Supreme Court, Rane added.

No proposal to hike the State Transport bus fares has been on the cards. Chief Minister Narayan Rane today categorically denied the reports that the State Transport ST bus fares were to be hiked.

8220;This is a policy decision. Let the next government be formed,8221; he said when he was told that Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation chairman had announced the fare hike. The ST employees in the State had resorted to a strike on Wednesday demanding revised pay scale from the cash-strapped ST administration.

Rane reiterated that the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party would emerge winner in the State Assembly elections. 8220;I have no doubts about it,8221; he said.

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He also refuted the possibilities of the Bharatiya Janata Party striking a post-electoral alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party NCP. 8220;Running a State and forming the government at the Centre are two different things to do,8221; he quipped when asked about possibilities of NCP-supremo Sharad Pawar supporting Atal Behari Vajpayee in New Delhi.

Earlier, the local unit of the Narmada Bachao Andolan presented Rane with a memorandum denouncing his statements in connection with Andolan leader Medha Patkar and a copy of the latter8217;s rejoinder to him.

Later, the chief minister spoke to mediapersons. 8220;Let your affection be unweaned whether I remain chief minister or not,8221; he said, notwithstanding his confidence to stage a comeback with a bang.

8220;I8217;m here to seek your blessings,8221; he said while speaking at a arranged tea-meet this evening. The Shivshahi government remained in power for past four-and-a-half years with the support of the media, he said. However, he personally remained 8220;deprived8221; of media criticism in all these years in power, Rane cribbed.